[Madame Chrysantheme Complete by Pierre Loti]@TWC D-Link book
Madame Chrysantheme Complete

CHAPTER XI
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As we ascended, we passed under enormous monastic porticoes, also in granite of rude and primitive style.

In truth, these steps and these temple porticoes are the only imposing works that this people has created, and they astonish, for they do not seem Japanese.
We climb still higher.

At this sultry hour of the day, from top to bottom of the enormous gray steps, only we three are to be seen; on all that granite there are but the pink butterflies on Chrysantheme's parasol to give a cheerful and brilliant touch.
We passed through the first temple yard, in which are two white china turrets, bronze lanterns, and the statue of a large horse in jade.

Then, without pausing at the sanctuary, we turned to the left, and entered a shady garden, which formed a terrace halfway up the hill, at the extremity of which was situated the Donko-Tchaya--in English, the Teahouse of the Toads.
This was the place where Chrysantheme had wished to take us.

We sat down at a table, under a black linen tent decorated with large white letters (of funereal aspect), and two laughing 'mousmes' hastened to wait upon us.
The word 'mousme' means a young girl, or very young woman.


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